In honour of Easter, what better topic to write about than chocolate? Did you know that the average Canadian consumes about 12 pounds of chocolate per year? That is a lot of chocolate; but not compared to the Swiss, with the world’s largest chocolate consumption at a staggering 22 pounds per person per year! Needless to say, chocolate is enjoyed by many around the world.
Do you have a favourite type of chocolate? Are you a fan of the traditional milk chocolate, or do you opt for the creamy white chocolate, or maybe you...
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Children require healthy diets to support optimal growth and development of their minds and bodies. Healthy eating (including eating a variety of vegetables and fruits) helps prevent widespread health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, iron deficiencies, osteoporosis and dental caries. However, over half (59%) of Canadian children 2-17 years of age, consume fruits and vegetables less than five times a day (CCHS 2.2). Research supports that these children are significantly more likely to be overweight or obese compared to those who consume fruits and vegetables more frequently.
So how can parents help their child consume more fruits and vegetables? Parents can start now with a...
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A well-stocked kitchen with cooking essentials makes creating a quick and balanced meal a whole lot easier! Today, I will share some of the top items I keep on hand to ensure a nutritiously packed fridge, freezer and pantry. This way, when you go to the grocery store, you will know which kitchen essentials need to be topped up.
My top 5 items to stock your fridge, freezer and pantry:
Fridge:
Milk, yogurt and cheese
Fresh fruits (such as: apples, oranges, grapes) and fresh vegetables (such as: celery, large bag baby carrots, lettuce etc)
Eggs! ...
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To help us celebrate Nutrition Month, I have a dynamic guest blogger, Tracy Morris a Registered Dietitian providing diabetes education in Toronto. I encourage you to visit Tracy’s blog, News Bites, for ample consumer-friendly nutrition information. Today, Tracy will be sharing some of her tips for healthy eating on a budget.
In today’s society, we are mindful of both the healthfulness and the cost of the foods we are consuming. With increasing food prices and the allure of inexpensive convenience foods, I assure you it is possible to eat a healthy diet on a budget.
Here are some dollar-saving tips to keep in mind:
1. Go Vegetarian!
Cooking with protein-rich choices such as lentils,...
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Welcome to Nutrition Month 2014 with the practical theme of “Simply Cook and Enjoy!” This month, Dietitians across Canada guide consumers back to the kitchen to master some cooking basics. Since time constraints are one of the largest barriers to today’s cooking, I will teach some timesaving tips on how to cook in a hurry!
Over the years, we have transitioned (or regressed) in our cooking and food preparation methods. This transition involves consuming more prepared foods, packaged foods and convenience foods, all which require less time in the kitchen and fewer food skills (Health Canada, 2010). Not surprisingly, our dietary intake has moved toward one that is higher in...
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If we replace our sugary, caloric soft drink with a non-caloric “diet pop” we should theoretically lose weight, right? Well, it appears that this might only not be true; in fact, our diet pop may be promoting weight gain!
Research recently published by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found adults who drink diet beverages consume more calories from food compared to adults who drink regular sodas and other sugary beverages. This research was published in American Journal of Public Health using data from 24,965 people aged 20 and older between 1999 to 2010. This topic is one of on-going debate and further research is needed to...
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Move over regular old green tea, there is a new and more potent green tea in town! Matcha is a fine green tea powder, which has origins dating back to the 12th century in Japan. This tea is described as having a strong and earthy taste with a full and frothy texture. The difference between regular green tea and matcha tea lies in the processing. Matcha tea uses the whole tealeaf for harvesting, steaming, drying and grinding into a fine powder. Interestingly, ten cups of green tea are needed to match the potency of a cup of matcha green tea.
[bctt tweet="Ten cups of green tea are needed...
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Are meal times with your picky eater a source of tremendous stress? Will your child start crying or fussing at the sight of a new and unfamiliar food? Are you concerned about your child’s nutritional intake considering the short list of foods that he or she will actually eat? These are common concerns that often bring nervous parents in seeking the support of a Registered Dietitian.
It is important to note that meal times SHOULD NOT be stressful! Keeping a calm and relaxed eating atmosphere helps children develop confidence and positive associations with food. Rest assured that children will naturally test their limits and it is the parent’s...
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When I mention the word protein, what first comes to mind? Do you think of muscles or strength, or do you think of weight control, possibly energy boosting, or maybe you simply think about different types of foods that contain protein? Today, “protein” is a new industry buzzword used to sell food products like drinks, bars and cereals. And it works! Barry Calpino, vice president for Kraft Foods described protein and stated, "It's one of those rare things that has a lot of different meanings to a lot of different people and they are all positive."
Today, let’s take a closer look at protein, how much you need...
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